The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the state was poised to bridge at least 20 per cent supply gap in Nigeria’s oil palm market with the inflow of investment into the state through the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP).

The governor was quoted in a statement to have said this in a chat with the Africa Report, a business magazine. He noted that the state government prioritised development of oil palm plantations because it has a comparative advantage in the cash crop owing from years of hosting two companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, namely Okomu Plc and Presco Plc.

According to him, “One of my campaign promises was to create jobs. With my background as an investment banker, given the vagaries of the Nigerian economy, it was obvious that we needed to pursue diversification.

“With an increasing population, one way to diversify and create employment was to send out youths back to farm and ensure food security.”

He said the government is prioritising agriculture by ensuring access to land and extension services in order to boost production, adding, “this led to the setting up of the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP).”

According to him, “Nigeria has a supply gap of CPO and other products from oil palm. This has led to importation of these feedstock for many companies.

“There is a supply gap of about 650,000mt, which can be closed by cultivating about 350,000 hectares of oil palm plantation. In Edo, through ESOPP, we have already commenced cultivation of 70,000 hectares and will add another 20,000 hectares soon. That means we are closing the gap by 20 percent, with about 100,000 hectares.”

The governor added that the state was keen on sharing its experience in accessing finance and improving access to land with other states so that this would boost local capacity to fill the gap and also accelerate economic diversification in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Otaru of Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, HRH, Oba Adeche Saiki II, at the weekend, lauded the education reforms of the state governor, saying it has positioned public schools for better performance and the churning out of quality pupils and students.

The Igarra traditional ruler stated this at a reception organised for the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Mrs. Ozavize Salami.

He described the SUBEB chairman as a competent leader who has demonstrated the capacity to perform and commended the governor for the choice of Salami as the chairman of the board.

On her part, the SUBEB chairman, Mrs Ozavize Salami, said Obaseki was clear about his vision for education in the state when he appointed her as chairman.